CARLTON stalwart Kade Simpson is set to sign a contract extension that will take him into a 17th season at Ikon Park.
After he delivered another typically reliable performance in his side's narrow loss to the Western Bulldogs on Sunday, the Blues have flagged that they are set to begin negotiations with Simpson regarding a new deal that will take him into 2019.
Simpson, who turns 35 next May, remains one of the club's most consistent performers and has enjoyed another stellar campaign this year. That was evident against the Dogs, where he racked up 35 disposals and kicked a goal in his team's 17-point defeat.
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"He's a great role model for our football club," Carlton coach Brendon Bolton said.
"He'll play on, there's no doubt about that. We want him to, we need him to and he wants to. We'll just get it sorted through his management and SOS (list boss Stephen Silvagni).
"It's so important to have that type of player with our list profile."
WATCH Brendon Bolton's full media conference
With fellow veteran Dale Thomas also expected to play into 2019, and with former best and fairest winner Sam Docherty set to return from a season on the sidelines due to a knee injury, Carlton will possess plenty of experience across half-back next year.
That trio will aid the club's young key position talent down back, which was led by Caleb Marchbank (21 disposals, 11 marks) and Jacob Weitering (16 disposals, seven marks) on Sunday.
With the Blues also trialling a three-pronged tall forward line that featured Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay and Tom De Koning against the Dogs, Bolton was pleased with the signs shown by the spine at his disposal.
"It's good they kept the percentage of score per entry really low," he said.
"I can see real glimpses of our spine … we can see what that's going to be like in time, I think everyone can appreciate that.
"It wasn't all totally consistent today, but you can appreciate there is going to be a lot of upside with those players up the middle of the park."
